We invest in Real Estate & Relationships

A 20-year industry veteran, Drew is president and founder of Woodsonia Real Estate. He possesses wide-reaching real estate experience and expertise, which includes land and subdivision development, multi-family development, acquisition and re-positioning of enclosed malls, and the creation of public/private partnerships. He has been involved in nearly all facets of Woodsonia’s operations, totaling more than $1 billion dollars. Woodsonia’s origins are humble, beginning in 2012 out of the spare bedroom in Drew’s home. Under his leadership, the firm has steadily grown to become one of the largest and most sought-after development firms in the Midwest. Drew has worked with some of the nation’s leading and most innovative companies, including Target Corporation, Wal-Mart, TopGolf, Menards, Hy-Vee, and DR Horton. Known for his unique ability to find creative solutions and assume challenges others typically shy away from, Drew guides the direction and vision of the firm.

As director of development and brokerage and a partner of the firm, Mitch enjoys the opportunity of working on Woodsonia’s diverse projects. He has been an integral part of deal sourcing, structuring, acquiring, brokering, and negotiating numerous projects, including breathing new life into a dying shopping mall, transforming farmland into mixed-use developments, and overseeing high-density infill projects. Mitch approaches each project with creative problem-solving and a determination to “figure it out.” He earned his B.A. in economics and finance from Nebraska Wesleyan University and brings a diverse background to the firm, with experiences in investment management, capital markets, and real estate development. Mitch, his wife, Morgan, and their three daughters enjoy traveling, golfing, and all things related to fitness.

Since joining the firm eight years ago, Woodsonia partner Carson Stratman has continued to embrace the company’s entrepreneurial spirit. He enjoys focusing on multifamily projects but also likes charting new territory with projects that fall outside Woodsonia’s traditional scope. Carson majored in commercial real estate, with an emphasis in entrepreneurship, at Marquette University. Before returning to his hometown to join Woodsonia, he owned several businesses across the Midwest and west. He brings adaptability and perspective – necessary skills in real estate development – to the team. As sports enthusiast, Carson is a devoted Husker football and basketball fan and closely follows Marquette’s Golden Eagles basketball team. And come warm weather, he can often be found around Nebraska, rod in hand, pursuing tight lines.

Aaron serves as Chief Financial Officer at Woodsonia Real Estate, where he leads financial strategy, capital planning, and corporate operations across the organization. He works closely with leadership on long-term growth initiatives and building the infrastructure needed to support scalable development.
Aaron holds a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance and Accounting. Prior to joining Woodsonia, he served as President and Chief Financial Officer of multiple companies and spent several years in financial consulting. Throughout his career, he has worked alongside ownership teams to structure financing, strengthen operations, and support disciplined, long-term growth. He enjoys helping build strong teams, clear processes, and lasting value through thoughtful real estate development. Outside of Woodsonia, Aaron serves on the board of Global Partners in Hope, a nonprofit focused on expanding access to medical care and clean water in West Africa. In his free time, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his family and pursuing endurance events and other personal challenges.

Tina Ames is the Swiss Army knife of Woodsonia - juggling multifamily, commercial properties, future developments, HOA management, and third-party agreements as the Director of Asset Management. In a nutshell, she makes sure all of the buildings stand tall and the numbers add up. She’s got a sixth sense for identifying ways to drive up Net Operating Income (NOI) and keep expenses from spiraling into the stratosphere. She loves a good strategy session, where she gets to put her financial wizardry to work, while making sure the entire team is on the same page. Tina leads the property management team with a mix of wisdom, experience, and the occasional motivational speech. Outside of work, Tina is all about family fun - whether she's vacationing in Okoboji with her husband and daughter, dominating the pickleball court, or cuddling with her German Shepherds. She’s the first to admit she loves petting every dog she meets. Tina's version of "having it all" includes both a solid bottom line and some friendly competition with her coworkers.

Luke Stater earned his BS in construction management from the University of Northern Iowa and brings more than twenty years of industry experience to Woodsonia. As the firm’s director of construction/project management services, he oversees construction projects, large and small, from their design and pre-construction phases through the contracting and building stages. Luke enjoys Woodsonia’s collaborative work environment, especially being part of a uniquely integrated team that works together to enhance local neighborhoods and develop communities further afield. Outside of work, Luke and his wife can often be found in the stands and sidelines of youth sports events, cheering on their four children. He also likes being active himself, running, spending time outdoors, and working out at CrossFit.

Armed with a BS in Business Administration for dual majors in Management & Entrepreneurship from Oklahoma State, Ashton Portokalis brings over eight years of experience keeping high-rise, mixed-use, and multifamily projects on track from pre-construction to post. As a Project Manager at Woodsonia, she’s a detail-oriented, schedule-juggling, problem-solving pro who believes “teamwork makes the dream work” and that “everything is figureoutable.” She thrives in the fast-paced, ever-changing world of construction and loves Woodsonia’s collaborative, friendly vibe. Outside of work, you’ll find her lost in a good book, crafting something creative, spending time with family, or championing causes with the Brain Injury Recovery Foundation. And if there’s a chance to travel? She’s already packed.

Amy Ortmeier is Woodsonia’s go-to for all things accounting, though, in true small-firm fashion, she is happy to assist across different areas of the firm’s business. Much of her work history has been within the field of construction, and she is excited to channel this knowledge into the real estate sector. She welcomes the fast pace environment at Woodsonia and the synergy of the team. When she is not crunching numbers at the office, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, especially traveling. Her suitcase is barely stored from one trip before she starts planning their next vacation.

For Corbin Ruth, life is a competition -and he’s here to win. As Development Assistant at Woodsonia, Corbin assists the with real estate closings, leasing, and entity structuring, bringing his sharp focus and drive to every task. With a finance degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and as a JD/MBA candidate at Creighton, he’s pairing academic insight with hands-on experience in the real estate industry. Previously, Corbin worked as a Commercial Escrow Agent and Legal Assistant, building a solid foundation in real estate law and transactions. At Woodsonia, he’s excited to learn from an experienced team and expand his expertise in an industry he’s passionate about. When he’s not tackling real estate challenges, Corbin can be found at the lake, cheering on his brother’s sports teams, or catching a game of football, basketball, or baseball. Fueled by curiosity and ambition, he brings a spirited energy that keeps the Woodsonia team ahead of the game.

Michael Kisielewski shares his eclectic academic and 20-year professional history with the Woodsonia team as a property manager. He originally studied psychology and theology in college until he found his way into business, specifically, management and sales. Much of his experience has been in the food and beverage industry, having served as a manager of various departments of HyVee and as a sales representative for two midwestern liquor distributors. With his move to Woodsonia, Michael is happy to add real estate to his areas of expertise. Born in Spain, he grew up in both Biloxi, Mississippi, and Stony Brook, New York. Michael has called Omaha home for the past 17 years and in his free time enjoys supporting his children in their interests and traveling to family fan-favorite destinations, Disney World and Universal Studios.

Jack Markus brings focus, follow-through, and a steady hand as our Commercial Property Manager at Woodsonia. With a degree in Business Administration focused on Real Estate and Land Use Economics from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Jack knew early on that commercial real estate was where he wanted to build his career. At Woodsonia, Jack oversees the commercial portfolio with a proactive mindset and a sharp eye for both operations and financial performance. He enjoys finding practical solutions, keeping tenants happy, and making sure ownership goals are always front and center. Give him a budget, a building, and a challenge, and he’s in his element. Outside the office, Jack enjoys hunting, fishing, golfing, and traveling, bringing the same patience and discipline from the outdoors into his approach to property management.

As Paralegal at Woodsonia, Erynn helps move deals from “under contract” to “closed” without missing a beat. She supports residential, multifamily, and commercial projects by coordinating contracts, loan documents, and closing materials; managing due diligence; and keeping lenders, title companies, outside counsel, and internal teams aligned. If there’s a deadline to track or a document to button up, she’s already on it. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies, with a minor in Business, from the College of Saint Mary. Erynn is excited to apply her legal background in a collaborative, growth-focused development environment, supporting projects from start to finish and contributing to Woodsonia’s long-term success. Outside the office, you’ll find her on the golf course (a sport she competed in for eight years), trying new restaurants around Omaha, or diving into music and different cultures to stay inspired beyond the legal documents.